SE2151402A1 - Air-conditioner outdoor machine and air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a housing; a compressor provided in the housing and configured to compress refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger provided in the housing and allowing refrigerant and air to exchange heat with each other; a partition plate provided in the housing and partitioning an inside of the housing into a fan chamber and a machine chamber in which the compressor is provided; an electronic component provided in the machine chamber; a refrigerant pipe provided in the machine chamber and connecting the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger and disposed above the electronic component; a valve connected to the refrigerant pipe in the machine chamber and disposed above the electronic component; and a drip inhibiting portion that covers the refrigerant pipe and a lower part of the valve and inhibits water dripping from the refrigerant pipe from dripping onto the electronic component.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of lnvention OUTDOOR UNIT FOR AlR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS AND AlR-CONDITIONINGAPPARATUS Technical Field[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit, including a valve, for an air-conditioning apparatus and an air-conditioning apparatus.Background Art[0002] Outdoor units, including a valve, for air-conditioning apparatuses have beenknown as outdoor units for air-conditioning apparatuses. When refrigerant cooled in acooling operation passes through the inside of a refrigerant pipe connected to a valve orother components, dew may be formed on the refrigerant pipe because of the differencein temperature between the inside and the outside of the refrigerant pipe. PatentLiterature 1 discloses an outdoor unit that accommodates a compressor, a four-waysolenoid valve, and refrigerant pipes connected to the compressor. ln Patent Literature1, refrigerant pipes in the part of a refrigerant circuit disposed above electroniccomponents such as the four-way solenoid valve are not disposed over the electroniccomponents. This configuration in Patent Literature 1 is intended to prevent, evenwhen dew is formed on a refrigerant pipe and drips down, the dew having dripped fromadhering to the electronic components.

Citation ListPatent Literature[0003] Patent Literature 1:Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-132335Summary of lnvention Technical Problem 668715POO489 4. 4. 4. id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4"

[0004] However, in the outdoor unit disclosed in Patent Literature 1, when a refrigerantpipe has to be disposed over the electronic components because of the limited space inthe outdoor unit, dew formed on the refrigerant pipe may drip down and adhere to theelectronic components. . . . id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5"

[0005] The present disclosure is made to solve such a problem and provides an outdoorunit for an air-conditioning apparatus and an air-conditioning apparatus that inhibit, evenwhen dew is formed on a refrigerant pipe, the dew from dripping onto electroniccomponents.

Solution to Problem[0006] An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure includes a housing; a compressor provided in the housing, thecompressor being configured to compress refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchangerprovided in the housing, the outdoor heat exchanger allowing refrigerant and air toexchange heat with each other; a partition plate provided in the housing, the partitionplate partitioning an inside of the housing into a fan chamber and a machine chamber inwhich the compressor is provided; an electronic component provided in the machinechamber; a refrigerant pipe provided in the machine chamber, the refrigerant pipeconnecting the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger and being disposed abovethe electronic component; a valve connected to the refrigerant pipe in the machinechamber, the valve being disposed above the electronic component; and a dripinhibiting portion that covers the refrigerant pipe and a lower part of the valve, the dripinhibiting portion inhibiting water dripping from the refrigerant pipe from dripping ontothe electronic component.

Advantageous Effects of lnvention[0007]According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drip inhibiting portion covers the lower part of the valve and the refrigerant pipe disposed above the electronic 668715POO489 component. Thus, the drip inhibiting portion is capable of inhibiting, even when dew isformed on the refrigerant pipe connected to the valve, the dew from dripping onto theelectronic component at a lower position.Brief Description of Drawings[0008] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an air-conditioning apparatus 1according to Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is an assembled front perspective view illustrating an outdoor unit 2according to Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an assembled rear perspective view illustrating the outdoor unit 2according to Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is an exploded front perspective view illustrating the outdoor unit 2according to Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 2 according to Embodiment1 from which a front panel 21, a side panel 22, and a top panel 23 have been detached.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 2 according to Embodiment1 from which the front panel 21, the side panel 22, the top panel 23, and a drip inhibitingportion 50 have been detached.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a top view illustrating refrigerant pipes 5 and the drip inhibitingportion 50 according to Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the refrigerant pipes 5 according toEmbodiment 1.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a top view illustrating the refrigerant pipes 5 according toEmbodiment 1.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the drip inhibiting portion 50according to Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the drip inhibiting portion 50according to Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a developed perspective view illustrating the drip inhibiting portion 50 according to Embodiment 1. 668715POO489 Description of Embodiments[0009] An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus and an air-conditioningapparatus in an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below withreference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited by the embodimentdescribed below. The size relationships of the components in the following drawingsincluding Fig. 1 may differ from those of actual ones. ln the following descriptions,terms that mean directions are used as appropriate to make the present disclosure easyto understand. However, these terms are used for describing the present disclosureand do not limit the present disclosure. Examples of terms that mean directionsinclude "up", "down", "right", "left", "forward", and "backward". . . . id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10"

[0010]Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an air-conditioning apparatus 1 according toEmbodiment 1. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 is an apparatusfor conditioning air in an indoor space. The air-conditioning apparatus 1 includes anoutdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit 3. The outdoor unit 2 includes a compressor 6, a flowswitching device 7, outdoor heat exchangers 8, an outdoor fan 9, an expansion unit 10,valves 15, bypass pipes 13, and a bypass flow control device 14. The indoor unit 3includes an indoor heat exchanger 11 and an indoor fan 12. 11. 11. 11. id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11"

[0011] The compressor 6, the flow switching device 7, the outdoor heat exchangers 8,the expansion unit 10, and the indoor heat exchanger 11 are connected by refrigerantpipes 5 and form a refrigerant circuit 4. The compressor 6 suctions low-temperatureand low-pressure refrigerant, compresses the suctioned refrigerant into high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and discharges the high-temperature andhigh-pressure refrigerant. The flow switching device 7 switches between directions inwhich refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit 4. The flow switching device 7 is, forexample, a four-way valve. For example, the outdoor heat exchangers 8 allow outdoor air and refrigerant to exchange heat with each other. The outdoor heat exchangers 8 668715POO489 are used as condensers in a cooling operation and are used as evaporators in a heatingoperation.[0012] The outdoor heat exchangers 8 include a first heat exchanger 8a and a secondheat exchanger 8b, whose passages are parallel to each other. The first heatexchanger 8a is, for example, an upper one of the outdoor heat exchangers 8. Thesecond heat exchanger 8b is, for example, a lower one of the outdoor heat exchangers8. The outdoor fan 9 is a device configured to send outdoor air to the outdoor heatexchangers 8. The expansion unit 10 is a pressure reducing valve or an expansionvalve configured to decompress and expand refrigerant. The expansion unit 10 is, forexample, an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree is controlled. Thevalves 15 switch between a direction in which refrigerant flows toward the first heatexchanger 8a and a direction in which refrigerant flows toward the second heatexchanger 8b. For example, the valves 15 include a first three-way valve 15a and asecond three-way valve 15b. The first three-way valve 15a connects the flow switchingdevice 7, the first heat exchanger 8a, and a suction port of the compressor 6. Thesecond three-way valve 15b connects the flow switching device 7, the second heatexchanger 8b, and the suction port of the compressor 6. 13. 13. 13. id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13"

[0013] The bypass pipes 13 connect a part between a discharge port of the compressor6 and the flow switching device 7 and a part between the first three-way valve 15a andthe second three-way valve 15b. High-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor 6 flows into the bypass pipes 13. The bypass pipes 13 are provided withthe bypass flow control device 14. The bypass flow control device 14 controls theamount of refrigerant flowing in the bypass pipes 13. 14. 14. 14. id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14"

[0014] For example, the indoor heat exchanger 11 allows indoor air and refrigerant to exchange heat with each other. The indoor heat exchanger 11 is used as an evaporator in the cooling operation and is used as a condenser in the heating operation. 6687151300489 The indoor fan 12 is a device configured to send indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger11 _ . . . id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15"

[0015] (Operation Mode: Cooling Operation) Next, the operation modes of the air-conditioning apparatus 1 will be described.The air-conditioning apparatus 1 in Embodiment 1 has operation modes including thecooling operation, the heating operation, and a heating and defrosting operation. First,the cooling operation will be described. ln the cooling operation, the compressor 6compresses refrigerant suctioned into the compressor 6 into high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant and discharges the gas refrigerant. The high-temperature andhigh-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 branches after passingthrough the flow switching device 7, and respective streams of refrigerant flow into thefirst three-way valve 15a and the second three-way valve 15b. The refrigerant that hasflowed into the first three-way valve 15a flows into the first heat exchanger 8a of theoutdoor heat exchangers 8 used as condensers. ln this case, in the first heatexchanger 8a, the refrigerant is condensed and liquified by being subjected to heatexchange with outdoor air sent by the outdoor fan 9. On the other hand, the refrigerantthat has flowed into the second three-way valve 15b flows into the second heatexchanger 8b of the outdoor heat exchangers 8 used as condensers. ln this case, inthe second heat exchanger 8b, the refrigerant is condensed and liquified by beingsubjected to heat exchange with outdoor air sent by the outdoor fan 9. 16. 16. 16. id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16"

[0016] The respective streams of condensed liquid refrigerant join together after flowingout from the first heat exchanger 8a and the second heat exchanger 8b, and the joinedrefrigerant flows into the expansion unit 10. The refrigerant that has flowed into theexpansion unit 10 is expanded and decompressed into low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant in the expansion unit 10. The two-phasegas-liquid refrigerant then flows into the indoor heat exchanger 11 used as anevaporator and is evaporated and gasified by being subjected to heat exchange with indoor air sent by the indoor fan 12 in the indoor heat exchanger 11. ln this case, the 668715POO489 indoor air is cooled, and cooling is performed indoors. The evaporated low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the flow switching device7 and is suctioned into the compressor 6. 17. 17. 17. id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17"

[0017] (Operation I\/|ode: Heating Operation) Next, the heating operation will be described. ln the heating operation, thecompressor 6 compresses refrigerant suctioned into the compressor 6 into high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant and discharges the gas refrigerant. Thehigh-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6passes through the flow switching device 7, flows into the indoor heat exchanger 11used as a condenser, and is condensed and liquified by being subjected to heatexchange with indoor air sent by the indoor fan 12 in the indoor heat exchanger 11. lnthis case, the indoor air is heated, and heating is performed indoors. The condensedliquid refrigerant flows into the expansion unit 10 and is expanded and decompressedinto low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant in the expansionunit 10. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then branches, and respective streams ofrefrigerant flow into the first heat exchanger 8a and the second heat exchanger 8b.[0018] ln the first heat exchanger 8a used as an evaporator, the refrigerant that hasflowed into the first heat exchanger 8a is evaporated and gasified by being subjected toheat exchange with outdoor air sent by the outdoor fan 9. The evaporated low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the first three-way valve15a. On the other hand, in the second heat exchanger 8b used as an evaporator, therefrigerant that has flowed into the second heat exchanger 8b is evaporated andgasified by being subjected to heat exchange with outdoor air sent by the outdoor fan 9.The evaporated low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through thesecond three-way valve 15b. The streams of refrigerant that have passed through thefirst three-way valve 15a and the second three-way valve 15b join together, and thejoined refrigerant is suctioned into the compressor 6. 19. 19. 19. id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19"

[0019] 668715POO489 (Operation Mode: Heating and Defrosting Operation) Next, the heating and defrosting operation will be described. ln the heatingoperation, frost may adhere to the outdoor heat exchangers 8. ln the heating anddefrosting operation, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 alternately defrosts the first heatexchanger 8a and the second heat exchanger 8b by switching between the first three-way valve 15a and the second three-way valve 15b while continuing the heatingoperation. First, a case in which the first heat exchanger 8a is defrosted will bedescribed. ln the heating and defrosting operation, the compressor 6 compressesrefrigerant suctioned into the compressor 6 into high-temperature and high-pressuregas refrigerant and discharges the gas refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 branches, and respectivestreams of refrigerant flow into the flow switching device 7 and the bypass pipes 13.[0020] The refrigerant that flows into the flow switching device 7 flows into the indoorheat exchanger 11 used as a condenser and is condensed and liquified by beingsubjected to heat exchange with indoor air sent by the indoor fan 12 in the indoor heatexchanger 11. ln this case, the indoor air is heated, and heating is performed indoors.The condensed liquid refrigerant flows into the expansion unit 10 and is expanded anddecompressed into low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerantin the expansion unit 10. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then joins refrigerantthat has flowed out from the first heat exchanger 8a, and the joined refrigerant flows intothe second heat exchanger 8b. ln the second heat exchanger 8b used as anevaporator, the refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat exchanger 8b isevaporated and gasified by being subjected to heat exchange with outdoor air sent bythe outdoor fan 9. The evaporated low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerantpasses through the second three-way valve 15b and is suctioned into the compressor 6.[0021] On the other hand, the refrigerant that flows into the bypass pipes 13 isdecompressed by the bypass flow control device 14. The decompressed high- temperature refrigerant passes through the first three-way valve 15a and flows into the 668715POO489 first heat exchanger 8a. The high-temperature refrigerant removes frost adhering tothe first heat exchanger 8a. The refrigerant that has flowed out from the first heatexchanger 8a joins refrigerant that has flowed out from the expansion unit 10, and thejoined refrigerant flows into the second heat exchanger 8b. 22. 22. 22. id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22"

[0022] Next, a case in which the second heat exchanger 8b is defrosted will bedescribed. ln the heating and defrosting operation, the compressor 6 compressesrefrigerant suctioned into the compressor 6 into high-temperature and high-pressuregas refrigerant and discharges the gas refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 branches, and respectivestreams of refrigerant flow into the flow switching device 7 and the bypass pipes 13.[0023] The refrigerant that flows into the flow switching device 7 flows into the indoorheat exchanger 11 used as a condenser and is condensed and liquified by beingsubjected to heat exchange with indoor air sent by the indoor fan 12 in the indoor heatexchanger 11. ln this case, the indoor air is heated, and heating is performed indoors.The condensed liquid refrigerant flows into the expansion unit 10 and is expanded anddecompressed into low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerantin the expansion unit 10. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then joins refrigerantthat has flowed out from the second heat exchanger 8b, and the joined refrigerant flowsinto the first heat exchanger 8a. ln the first heat exchanger 8a used as an evaporator,the refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat exchanger 8a is evaporated andgasified by being subjected to heat exchange with outdoor air sent by the outdoor fan 9.The evaporated low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through thefirst three-way valve 15a and is suctioned into the compressor 6. 24. 24. 24. id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24"

[0024] On the other hand, the refrigerant that flows into the bypass pipes 13 isdecompressed by the bypass flow control device 14. The decompressed high-temperature refrigerant passes through the second three-way valve 15b and flows into the second heat exchanger 8b. The high-temperature refrigerant removes frost 668715POO489 adhering to the second heat exchanger 8b. The refrigerant that has flowed out fromthe second heat exchanger 8b joins refrigerant that has flowed out from the expansionunit 10, and the joined refrigerant flows into the first heat exchanger 8a. . . . id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25"

[0025] (Housing 20) Fig. 2 is an assembled front perspective view illustrating the outdoor unit 2according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is an assembled rear perspective view illustratingthe outdoor unit 2 according to Embodiment 1. Next, the outdoor unit 2 will bedescribed. As i||ustrated in Fig. 2, the outdoor unit 2 includes a housing 20 and internalcomponents 30. The housing 20 includes a front panel 21, a side panel 22, a toppanel 23, a fan guard 24, and a service panel 22b. The front panel 21 is a metal platewhose section has an L shape and that covers the front and one side of each of theinternal components 30. An opening 21a, through which air is blown out, is provided ina part, close to the front of each of the internal components 30, of the front panel 21.Elongated holes 21 b, each of which has a burring shape and into which air is suctioned,are provided in a part, close to the one side of each of the internal components 30, ofthe front panel 21. The side panel 22 is a metal plate that covers the other side ofeach of the internal components 30. A service opening 22a is provided in the sidepanel 22 (see Fig. 4). 26. 26. 26. id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26"

[0026] The top panel 23 is a metal plate that covers the top of each of the internalcomponents 30. The fan guard 24 is a grid-like component provided to cover theopening 21a provided in the front panel 21. The fan guard 24 inhibits foreign matterfrom entering the outdoor unit 2. The service panel 22b is attached to the side panel22 and is detached when the outdoor unit 2 is inspected. When an operator inspectsthe outdoor unit 2, the operator detaches the service panel 22b and inspects the insideof the outdoor unit 2 from the service opening 22a provided in the side panel 22 (seeFig. 4). 27. 27. 27. id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27"

[0027] (lnternal Components 30) 6687151300489 Fig. 4 is an exploded front perspective view illustrating the outdoor unit 2according to Embodiment 1. Next, the internal components 30 will be described. Asillustrated in Fig. 4, the internal components 30 include a bottom plate 31, thecompressor 6, the outdoor heat exchangers 8, a motor support component 32, theoutdoor fan 9, a partition plate 33, an electrical component box 34, refrigerant pipes 5,electronic components 40, the valves 15, and a drip inhibiting portion 50. The bottomplate 31 is a component forming the bottom of the outdoor unit 2. Here, the contoursof the outdoor unit 2 are formed by the front panel 21, the side panel 22, the top panel23, the bottom plate 31, and the outdoor heat exchangers 8. 28. 28. 28. id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28"

[0028] The compressor 6 is provided on the bottom plate 31. A section of the outdoorheat exchangers 8 has, for example, an L shape. The outdoor heat exchangers 8 areprovided on the bottom plate 31 and form the other side, close to the other side of eachof the internal components 30, and the rear of the outdoor unit 2. The outdoor heatexchangers 8, together with the housing 20, provide a hollow portion 20a in the outdoorheat exchangers 8 and the housing 20. The motor support component 32 is providedin front of the part, forming the rear of the outdoor unit 2, of the outdoor heatexchangers 8. The motor support component 32 supports a fan motor 9a, which isconfigured to drive the outdoor fan 9 to rotate. The outdoor fan 9 is attached to themotor support component 32 in the hollow portion 20a and forms an air passage alongwhich air is suctioned from the rear of the outdoor unit 2 and is sent to the outdoor heatexchangers 8. The partition plate 33 is a metal plate extending in a front-rear directionof the housing 20 in the hollow portion 20a. The partition plate 33 extends upwardfrom the bottom plate 31. A section of the partition plate 33 has an L shape extendingin the front-rear direction of the housing 20 and then extending in a width direction alongthe outdoor heat exchangers 8. The partition plate 33 partitions the inside of theoutdoor unit 2 into a fan chamber 25 and a machine chamber 26. 29. 29. 29. id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29"

[0029]Here, the outdoor heat exchangers 8 and the outdoor fan 9 are provided in the fan chamber 25. The compressor 6, the refrigerant pipes 5 connected to the 11 668715POO489 Compressor 6, the electronic components 40, the valves 15, and the drip inhibitingportion 50 are provided in the machine chamber 26. The electrical component box 34is disposed above the valves 15. The electrical component box 34 houses electricalcomponents configured to control the operation of the compressor 6 and the outdoor fan9. The electrical component box 34 is provided at an upper end of the partition plate33. The electrical component box 34 houses a control board (not illustrated) on whichelectrical components (not illustrated) having comparatively large heights, such as anelectrolytic capacitor, are mounted. The electrical component box 34 includes adisplay unit (not illustrated) configured to light up in maintenance. The display unit is,for example, an LED lamp and is provided on the control board. . . . id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30"

[0030] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 2 according to Embodiment 1 fromwhich the front panel 21, the side panel 22, and the top panel 23 have been detached.Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 2 according to Embodiment 1 from whichthe front panel 21, the side panel 22, the top panel 23, and the drip inhibiting portion 50have been detached. Fig. 7 is a top view illustrating the refrigerant pipes 5 and the dripinhibiting portion 50 according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7, asdescribed above, the refrigerant pipes 5 connect the compressor 6, the flow switchingdevice 7, the outdoor heat exchangers 8, the expansion unit 10, and the indoor heatexchanger 11 and stretch from a lower part to an upper part of the machine chamber 26of the outdoor unit 2. The electronic components 40 in Embodiment 1 are, forexample, a reactor 41, the expansion unit 10, a four-way valve coil 42, which isconfigured to switch the flow switching device 7, and the bypass flow control device 14.[0031] Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the refrigerant pipes 5 according toEmbodiment 1. Fig. 9 is a top view illustrating the refrigerant pipes 5 according toEmbodiment 1. As described above, the valves 15 switch between the direction inwhich refrigerant flows toward the first heat exchanger 8a and the direction in whichrefrigerant flows toward the second heat exchanger 8b, and, for example, the valves 15 include the first three-way valve 15a and the second three-way valve 15b. As 12 668715POO489 illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the first three-way valve 15a and the second three-way valve15b are connected to the refrigerant pipes 5 in the machine chamber 26 and aredisposed above the electronic components 40. The first three-way valve 15a and thesecond three-way valve 15b are provided with respective three-way valve coils 43,which are configured to switch between the first three-way valve 15a and the secondthree-way valve 15b. 32. 32. 32. id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32"

[0032] As illustrated in Fig. 8, the expansion unit 10, the flow switching device 7, thefour-way valve coil 42, the reactor 41, the bypass flow control device 14, the first three-way valve 15a, the second three-way valve 15b, and the three-way valve coils 43 aredisposed in this order in a direction from a lower part to an upper part of the machinechamber 26. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the reactor 41, the bypass flow control device 14,and other components are disposed below the position where the refrigerant pipes 5 aredisposed. The positional relationships of the components in the width direction, thefront-rear direction, and the front-rear direction are examples and may be differentpositional relationships. Here, the electronic components 40 are disposed at positionsthat are not directly below the refrigerant pipes 5 connected to the valves 15 and thatare not directly below the refrigerant pipes 5 connected to the valves 15. 33. 33. 33. id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33"

[0033] Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the drip inhibiting portion 50 according toEmbodiment 1. Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the drip inhibiting portion 50according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 12 is a developed perspective view illustrating thedrip inhibiting portion 50 according to Embodiment 1. The drip inhibiting portion 50covers each lower part of the valves 15 including the first three-way valve 15a and thesecond three-way valve 15b. The drip inhibiting portion 50 inhibits water dripping fromthe refrigerant pipes 5 from dripping onto the electronic components 40. Here, forexample, the drip inhibiting portion 50 absorbs water dripping from the valves 15. lnaddition, the drip inhibiting portion 50 is formed to repel and hold water droplets on thedrip inhibiting portion 50. Furthermore, the drip inhibiting portion 50 is formed to cause water dripping from the refrigerant pipes 5 to drip onto positions in a lower space where 13 6687151300489 the electronic components 40 do not exist. Here, the drip inhibiting portion 50 is madeof, for example, felt. The drip inhibiting portion 50 may be made of a material mainlycontaining a fiber usable as a sound absorbing material for the compressor 6. Asillustrated in Figs. 10 to 12, the drip inhibiting portion 50 includes a band portion 51, aprotecting portion 55, a folded-back portion 56, and an engagement portion 57. Thedrip inhibiting portion 50 may have a cylindrical shape. 34. 34. 34. id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34"

[0034] The band portion 51 is a long component extending in the width direction. Theband portion 51 surrounds the valves 15 such that the band portion 51 covers a lowerpart, side parts, and an upper part of each valve 15. The band portion 51 inhibits aside end portion of each valve 15 from coming into contact with the partition plate 33(see Fig. 5). The band portion 51 has slits 52, into which the refrigerant pipes 5connected to the valves 15 are inserted. The slits 52 enable the band portion 51 tosurround the valves 15 without being obstructed by the refrigerant pipes 5 connected tothe valves 15. For example, the slits 52 include a first slit 52a, a second slit 52b, and athird slit 52c. . . . id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35"

[0035] The first slit 52a is obtained by cutting out a part of the band portion 51 at aposition close to the other end of the band portion 51 in the long-side direction such thatthe first slit 52a extends in a direction from the rear to the front of the outdoor unit 2. Arefrigerant pipe 5A of the refrigerant pipes 5 illustrated in Fig. 8 is inserted into the firstslit 52a. The second slit 52b is adjacent to the first slit 52a. The second slit 52b isobtained by cutting out a part of the band portion 51 such that the second slit 52bextends in the direction from the rear to the front of the outdoor unit 2. The second slit52b is shorter than the first slit 52a. A refrigerant pipe 5B of the refrigerant pipes 5illustrated in Fig. 8 is inserted into the second slit 52b. The third slit 52c is adjacent tothe second slit 52b. The third slit 52c is obtained by cutting out a part of the bandportion 51 such that the third slit 52c extends in the direction from the rear to the front of the outdoor unit 2. The third slit 52c has a length equal to that of the second slit 52b. 14 6687151300489 A refrigerant pipe 5C of the refrigerant pipes 5 illustrated in Fig. 8 is inserted into thethird slit 52c.[0036] The band portion 51 has an electrical-component escape space 53. Theelectrical-component escape space 53 is obtained by cutting out a part of the bandportion 51, at a position closer than the third slit 52c to one side in a state in which thedrip inhibiting portion 50 is developed, in the direction from the rear to the front of theoutdoor unit 2 such that the electrical-component escape space 53 has a trapezoidalshape and has a first inclined surface 53a. The electrical-component escape space 53is positioned close to the top panel 23 in a state in which the valves 15 are surroundedby the band portion 51. Electrical components included in the electrical componentbox 34 are inserted into the electrical-component escape space 53. Specifically, forexample, an electrolytic capacitor (not illustrated) that is mounted on the control boardhoused in the electrical component box 34 and that projects from the control board isinserted into the electrical-component escape space 53. 37. 37. 37. id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37"

[0037] The band portion 51 has a display-unit escape space 54. The display-unitescape space 54 is obtained by cutting out a part of the band portion 51, at a positionbetween the third slit 52c and the electrical-component escape space 53 in the state inwhich the drip inhibiting portion 50 is developed, in a direction from the front to the rearof the outdoor unit 2 such that the display-unit escape space 54 has a trapezoidal shapeand has a second inclined surface 54a. ln this manner, the display-unit escape space54 has a shape similar to that of the electrical-component escape space 53. The firstinclined surface 53a and the second inclined surface 54a are parallel to each other.

The first inclined surface 53a and the second inclined surface 54a do not have to beparallel to each other. This enables the distance between the electrical-componentescape space 53 and the display-unit escape space 54 to be left even when theelectrical-component escape space 53 and the display-unit escape space 54 are cut outfrom the band portion 51. 38. 38. 38. id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38"

[0038] The display-unit escape space 54 is positioned close to the top panel 23 in thestate in which the valves 15 are surrounded by the band portion 51. The display-unitescape space 54 allows the display unit included in the electrical component box 34 tobe visible from the outside of the housing 20. Specifically, when an operator inspectsthe outdoor unit 2, the operator detaches the service panel 22b. Then, the display unitincluded in the electrical component box 34 is visible to the operator from the serviceopening 22a of the side panel 22. The display-unit escape space 54 is provided on asight line along which the display unit is visible to the operator. The display-unitescape space 54 does not prevent the display unit from being visible to the operatorand enables the display unit to have visibility. 39. 39. 39. id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39"

[0039] The protecting portion 55 extends upward from the band portion 51 in a state inwhich the valves 15 are surrounded by the band portion 51. The protecting portion 55inhibits an end portion of each valve 15 in the front-rear direction from coming intocontact with the partition plate 33. The protecting portion 55 is provided between thethird slit 52c and the electrical-component escape space 53 in the state in which the dripinhibiting portion 50 is developed. The protecting portion 55 has a cuboid shape. Theprotecting portion 55 is inserted between the partition plate 33 and the valves 15 bybeing bent upward from the rear side by 90 degrees after the valves 15 are surroundedby the band portion 51 (see Fig. 7). This inhibits the partition plate 33 and the valves15 from coming into contact with each other even when the outdoor unit 2 is shakenduring transportation or even when drop impact occurs in the outdoor unit 2 because ofincorrect handling of the outdoor unit 2. 40. 40. 40. id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40"

[0040] The folded-back portion 56 is folded back at one end portion of the band portion51. To form the folded-back portion 56, a part formed by making a cut in a part of theone end portion of the band portion 51 is folded back by 180 degrees. The folded-backportion 56 is sewn at a stitch portion 56a and is thus held in the folded back state. Theengagement portion 57 is a cuboid component projecting from the other end portion of the band portion 51. The engagement portion 57 is a stopper engaged with the folded- 16 back portion 56 at the other end portion of the band portion 51 surrounding the valves15.[0041] Specifically, a step portion 56b, which is formed when the folded-back portion 56is folded back by 180 degrees, is caught by the engagement portion 57. This keeps astate in which the valves 15 are surrounded by the drip inhibiting portion 50. When thevalves 15 are surrounded by the band portion 51, a space insertion portion 58, which isthe part, other than the folded-back portion 56, of the one end portion of the bandportion 51, enters the space between the partition plate 33 and a space defining portion59, which is the part, other than the engagement portion 57, of the other end portion ofthe band portion 51. 42. 42. 42. id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42"

[0042] Next, the operation in which the drip inhibiting portion 50 surrounds the valves 15will be described. ln a state in which the other end side of the band portion 51 isdisposed to face the partition plate 33, the refrigerant pipes 5A, 5B, and 5C arerespectively inserted into the first slit 52a, the second slit 52b, and the third slit 52c ofthe band portion 51. Then, the protecting portion 55 is bent upward from the rear sideby 90 degrees and is inserted between the partition plate 33 and the valves 15. 43. 43. 43. id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43"

[0043] ln addition, the one end side of the band portion 51 is bent by 90 degrees in adirection from the side panel 22 toward the top panel 23 and is further bent by 90degrees in a direction from the top panel 23 toward the partition plate 33 while coveringthe side parts of each valve 15. Then, the folded-back portion 56 is engaged with theengagement portion 57 while the band portion 51 covers the upper part of each valve15. As a result, the drip inhibiting portion 50 is formed into a cylindrical shape. Thefolded-back portion 56 and the space insertion portion 58 are inserted between thepartition plate 33 and the valves 15 or between the partition plate 33 and the refrigerantpipes 5. As a result, the drip inhibiting portion 50 is fixed in the machine chamber 26.[0044] 17 According to Embodiment 1, the drip inhibiting portion 50 covers the lower part ofeach valve 15 and the refrigerant pipes 5 disposed above the electronic components40. Thus, the drip inhibiting portion 50 is capable of inhibiting, even when dew isformed on the refrigerant pipes 5 connected to the valves 15, the dew from drippingonto the electronic components 40 at lower positions. For example, by absorbingwater dripping from the valves 15, the drip inhibiting portion 50 inhibits the water fromdripping onto the electronic components 40 at lower positions. ln addition, the dripinhibiting portion 50 is formed to repel and hold water droplets on the drip inhibitingportion 50 and is formed to cause water dripping from the refrigerant pipes 5 to drip ontopositions in a lower space where the electronic components 40 do not exist. ln thismanner, the drip inhibiting portion 50 inhibits water from dripping onto the electroniccomponents 40 at lower positions. As described above, the drip inhibiting portion 50inhibits dew from dripping onto each energized part of the electronic components 40.Thus, it is possible to inhibit occurrence of a short circuit. 45. 45. 45. id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45"

[0045] ln addition, the partition plate 33 extends in the front-rear direction of the housing20. The drip inhibiting portion 50 includes the band portion 51, which has a bandshape and surrounds the valves 15 such that the band portion 51 covers the lower part,the side parts, and the upper part of each valve 15. This inhibits the side end portionof each valve 15 from coming into contact with the partition plate 33. Furthermore, thepartition plate 33 extends in the width direction of the housing 20. The drip inhibitingportion 50 further includes the protecting portion 55, which extends upward from theband portion 51 and inhibits the end portion of each valve 15 in the front-rear directionfrom coming into contact with the partition plate 33. This inhibits the partition plate 33and the valves 15 from coming into contact with each other even when the outdoor unit2 is shaken during transportation or even when drop impact occurs in the outdoor unit 2because of incorrect handling of the outdoor unit 2. 46. 46. 46. id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46"

[0046] The band portion 51 has the slits 52, into which the refrigerant pipes 5 connected to the valves 15 are inserted. Thus, the band portion 51 is held by the refrigerant pipes 18 . Accordingly, there is no need to provide an additional support component. Thedrip inhibiting portion 50 further includes the folded-back portion 56, which is foldedback at the one end portion of the band portion 51, and the engagement portion 57,which is engaged with the folded-back portion 56 at the other end portion of the bandportion 51 surrounding the valves 15. This keeps a state in which the drip inhibitingportion 50 is formed into a cy|indrica| shape.Reference Signs List[0047] 1: air-conditioning apparatus, 2: outdoor unit, 3: indoor unit, 4: refrigerant circuit,5, 5A, 5B, 5C: refrigerant pipe, 6: compressor, 7: flow switching device, 8: outdoor heatexchanger, 8a: first heat exchanger, 8b: second heat exchanger, 9: outdoor fan, 9a: fanmotor, 10: expansion unit, 11: indoor heat exchanger, 12: indoor fan, 13: bypass pipe,14: bypass flow control device, 15: valve, 15a: first three-way valve, 15b: second three-way valve, 20: housing, 20a: hollow portion, 21: front panel, 21a: opening, 21 b:elongated hole, 22: side panel, 22a: service opening, 22b: service panel, 23: top panel,24: fan guard, 25: fan chamber, 26: machine chamber, 30: internal component, 31:bottom plate, 32: motor support component, 33: partition plate, 34: electrical componentbox, 40: electronic component, 41 : reactor, 42: four-way valve coil, 43: three-way valvecoil, 50: drip inhibiting portion, 51: band portion, 52: slit, 52a: first slit, 52b: second slit,52c: third slit, 53: electrical-component escape space, 53a: first inclined surface, 54:display-unit escape space, 54a: second inclined surface, 55: protecting portion, 56:folded-back portion, 56a: stitch portion, 56b: step portion, 57: engagement portion, 58: space insertion portion, 59: space defining portion 19

Claims (10)

1. 1. Al\/IENDED CLAIMS1. An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, the outdoor unit comprising: a housing _(@); a compressor_(§) provided in the housinglQ), the compressor_(§) beingconfigured to compress refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger_(§) provided in the housinglæ), the outdoor heatexchanger_(§) allowing refrigerant and air to exchange heat with each other; a partition platelë) provided in the housinglë), the partition platejfi)partitioning an inside of the housinglæ) into a fan chamberlä) and a machinechamberlë) in which the compressor_(§) is provided; an electronic componentlfl) provided in the machine chamberlël; a refrigerant pipe_(§) provided in the machine chamberlä), the refrigerant pipe_(ä) connecting the compressor_(§) and the outdoor heat exchanger_(§) and beingdisposed above the electronic componentlfll; a valvelfi) connected to the refrigerant pipe_(§) in the machine chamberlä),the valvelfi) being disposed above the electronic componentlfll; and a drip inhibiting portionlfl) that covers the refrigerant pipe_(§) the-valve and surrounds the valve (15) such that the drip inhibiting portion (50) covers alower part, side parts, and an upper part of the valve (15), the drip inhibiting portionlfl)inhibiting water dripping from the refrigerant pipe_(§) from dripping onto the electronic component (40).

2. The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partition platelfi) extends in a front-rear direction of the housinglæ), and the drip inhibiting portionlfl) includes a band portionlï) having a band shape,the band portionlï) inhibiting a side end portion of thevalvelfi) from coming into contact with the partition platelfi).

3. The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the partition plate (33) extends in a width direction of the housing (20), andthe drip inhibiting portion (50) further includes a protecting portion (55) extendingupward from the band portion (51 ), the protecting portion (55) inhibiting an end portion of the valve (15) in the front-rear direction from coming into contact with the partition plate (33).

4. The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 2 or 3, wherein theband portion (51) has a slit (52) into which the refrigerant pipe_(5) connected to thevalve (15) is inserted.

5. The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 4, theoutdoor unit further comprising an electrical component box (ä) disposed above the valve (ä), the electricalcomponent boxlfi) including an electrical component configured to control operation ofthe compressor_(§), wherein the band portionlï) has an electrical-component escape spacelä)obtained by cutting out a part of the band portionlï) such that the electrical component is inserted into the electrical-component escape space (53).

6. The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 5, theoutdoor unit further comprising an electrical component box (ä) disposed above the valve (ä), the electricalcomponent boxlfi) including an electrical component configured to control operation ofthe compressor_(§), wherein the electrical component boxlfi) includes a display unit configured to light up inmaintenance, and the band portionlï) has a display-unit escape spacelfi) obtained by cuttingout a part of the band portionlï) such that the display-unit escape spacelä) allowsthe display unit to be visible from an outside of the housinglæ).

7. The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 6,wherein the drip inhibiting portionlfl) further includes a folded-back portionlä) folded back at one end portion of the band portionlï),and an engagement portionlï) engaged with the folded-back portionlä) at an otherend portion of the band portionlï) surrounding the valvelfi).

8. The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7,wherein the drip inhibiting portion (50) is made of a material mainly containing a fiber usable as a sound absorbing material for the compressor_(§).

9. The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the drip inhibiting portion (50) is made of felt.

10. An air-conditioning apparatus_(1_) comprising: the outdoor unit_(g) for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9,the outdoor unit_(g) further including a flow switching device_(Z) configured to switch between directions in whichrefrigerant flows, and an expansion unit iQ) configured to expand refrigerant; and an indoor unit_(§) including an indoor heat exchangerlfl) that allows refrigerantand air to exchange heat with each other, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger_(§) includes a first heat exchanger_(8_a) and a secondheat exchangerlfi), a passage of the first heat exchanger_(8_a) and a passage of thesecond heat exchangerlä) being parallel to each other, and a refrigerant circuit_(í) is formed by connecting, by the refrigerant pipe_(§), thecompressor_(§), the flow switching device_(Z), the indoor heat exchanger_(1), theexpansion unitlfl), the outdoor heat exchanger_(§), the valvelfi) configured to switch between a direction in which refrigerant flows toward the first heat exchanger (8a) and a direction in which refrigerant flows toward the second heat exchanger (8b), and abypass pipe (13) connecting the valve (15) and a part between the compressor_(§) andthe flow switohing device_(Z).